Jack Milner
Trainer Alan Greeff will be chasing the R250,000 bonus on offer on Friday when My Best Shot lines up in Race 8, the Listed WSB East Cape Derby, over 2400m at on the turf track Fairview.
This Fire Away gelding has impressed since turning three, winning six of his last seven starts. His only defeat came on the Fairview Polytrack in October. My Best Shot is unbeaten in three starts since being gelded.
What is most relevant, is that two of those victories included the first two legs of the Nelson Mandela Bay Sophomore Challenge, the first two being the Listed Ibhayi Stakes over 1400m in February and the Listed East Cape Guineas over 1600m in March.
The only question mark for him in this particular race is whether he will be as effective over 2400m, having only contested – and won – races up to 1600m. A 2400m test is a very different challenge compared to 1600m.
Stable jockey Richard Fourie retains the ride but will have to overcome a wide draw in stall No 10. My Best Shot is often slowly away and tends to drop to the back early, so that scenario is likely again.
His stable companions, Master Forester, Mister Speaker and filly Lotus Island, provide Greeff with solid backup should My Best Shot fail to see out the trip.
Lotus Island is unbeaten in four starts in the Eastern Cape, three of those since joining Greeff. She handled 2000m with ease and should have no problem staying 2400m.
Usually, this race draws several out-of-town challengers, but this year only Justin Snaith was prepared to make the trip. And he sends out Ardabil, a two-time winner.
This Danon Platina gelding has scored over both 1600m and 1800m, and each win was convincing enough to suggest he could make his presence felt. He is likely the only genuine threat to Greeff’s runners.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 House Of Sussex, 8 Fantasy Girl, 1 Flight Engineer, 9 Darling Girl
Race 2: 7 Sports Fan, 5 Just One Kiss, 1 Danish Dynamite, 3 Iced Marmalade
Race 3: 4 Wordsworth, 8 Bonjour La Ville, 2 Munchkin, 6 Smashing
Race 4: 3 Haphazard, 4 Courageous, 6 Three Cheers, 2 In The Green Zone
Race 5: 7 Luna Halo, 4 Golden Peace, 11 Cheeky Laddie, 2 Electric Gold
Race 6: 1 Strata, 3 Indebe Mayibuye, 5 Ms Patty, 6 Sharapova
Race 7: 4 Anotherdanceforme, 6 Hot Sauce, 3 Winter Warfare, 2 Ready
Race 8: 1 My Best Shot, 5 Ardabil, 9 Lotus Island, 10 Honorable Member
Race 9: 7 Juan Carlos, 8 Heart Stealer, 4 Harold The Duke, 5 Gimme More Time
BEST BET
Race 5: 7 Luna Halo
VALUE BET
Race 3: 4 Wordsworth
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 4x6
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 1, 5, 7
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 7
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 4, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 2, 4, 8
Leg 2: 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 3
Leg 5: 4, 6
Leg 6: 1, 5
Leg 7: 4, 7, 8
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 6: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
JACKPOT 1
R48
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 6
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 5, 9, 10
JACKPOT 2
R240
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 4: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9